EFFICIENCY CHALLENGES AND PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION OF LOW-POWER PUMP MOTORS IN THERMAL POWER PLANTS

this study investigates the operational challenges associated with low-power pump motors in thermal power plant auxiliary systems. Through experimental measurements and computational analysis, we identified significant performance limitations including overheating issues, efficiency losses, and premature failure under variable load conditions. Testing was conducted on 30 pump units (5-75 kW) across three different thermal power plants over a 14-month period. Results demonstrate that optimized motor cooling designs combined with variable frequency drives can increase operational efficiency by 17.3% while extending service life by approximately 2.4 times. Implementation of the proposed enhanced monitoring system reduced unexpected failures by 62% during the trial period. These findings provide valuable insights for improving the reliability and efficiency of auxiliary pump systems in thermal power generation facilities.